What is the European Convention on Human Rights?
The European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) is a human rights treaty established by the Council of Europe and signed in 1950. It is made up of two protocols, and is applicable to the member states of the European Union. The Convention seeks to protect the human rights and fundamental freedoms of people across Europe and has been used by citizens and their governments to enforce and protect those rights.
In this article, we will look at what the Convention is, what rights it covers, and how it can be used as a tool for protecting them.
What is the European Convention on Human Rights?
The European Convention on Human Rights is a human rights treaty that was first signed by the Council of Europe in 1950. It is made up of two protocols designed to protect the human rights and fundamental freedoms of people in Europe.
The Convention is applicable to all of the 46 member states of the Council of Europe. It is one of the most important human rights treaties in the world and is a powerful tool for citizens of the member countries to protect their human rights.
The Convention consists of two protocols: Protocol 1 and Protocol 11.
Protocol 1 relates to the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, and sets out a series of general rights which apply to all citizens of the countries that have ratified it.
Protocol 11 relates to the enforcement of these rights and sets out the procedures for their enforcement. This includes an individual’s right to take their case to the European Court of Human Rights and to receive compensation from a Member State if their rights have been violated.
What Rights Does the European Convention on Human Rights Cover?
The European Convention on Human Rights provides extensive protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms.
It consists of a number of articles that cover a range of different rights and freedoms, including:
• Right to life
• Prohibition of torture and inhuman or degrading treatment
• Right to liberty and security
• Right to good administration
• Right to a fair trial
• Freedom of thought, conscience and religion
• Freedom of expression
• Right to marry and found a family
• Freedom of assembly and association
• Protection against discrimination
• Right to respect for private and family life
• Right to education
• Protection of property
Many of these rights are further clarified and developed through separate protocols that are signed and ratified separately from the main Convention. These protocols are also binding for the countries which have ratified them.
How Can the European Convention on Human Rights Be Used?
The European Convention on Human Rights provides citizens and their governments with a powerful tool for enforcing and protecting their human rights.
One of the ways it can be used is to challenge a government’s actions in the European Court of Human Rights. This provides individuals and groups with the opportunity to seek justice and to receive compensation if their rights have been violated.
The Convention can also be used to challenge national laws and policies, such as those concerning migration and asylum.
Moreover, the Convention can be used to support civil society activism and to encourage governments to take action to protect human rights. It can also be used to push for change in the laws and policies of member states, for example to challenge laws which limit freedom of expression or to encourage governments to introduce legislation that that prohibits discrimination.
The European Convention on Human Rights is a powerful tool for citizens, and their governments, to protect human rights and fundamental freedoms in Europe. It consists of two protocols designed to protect the rights of all citizens in the member states of the Council of Europe and provides extensive protection of a range of different rights and freedoms. It can be used to challenge governments in the European Court of Human Rights and to push for change in national policies and laws. It is an important tool for protecting human rights and ensuring that citizens across Europe are able to enjoy the protection of these rights.
